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5G. One G too far?

Tech Space

We all love our cellphones. They offer near-limitless freedom in where we choose to communicate, consume media or learn. The cellphone network is one of the triumphs of modern engineering, with 94% of the world’s population having access to a wireless service. The fifth generation of wireless cellular technology, dubbed 5G, has had a rocky start however. This is in spite of 5G being totally revolutionary in its reach and scope to deliver speed, availability and functionality. What does the 5G rollout mean then, and how is it making news by affecting flights?

The first generation of mobile network, or 1G first showed up in the United States in 1983 and has grown in capacity and coverage into the (almost) always-available connectivity which we enjoy today. It actually took 4 years for 1G to reach the States from Japan, although some “0G” applications existed many years before that; these had more in common with 2-way radio technology than cellphones as we know them. Mobile data and therefore mobile internet came along in the early 2000s with 3G, broadening the horizons for what we can achieve from our mobile devices.

The new 5G, has technically been rolling out since 2020 but has seen some challenges to its broad adoption. The pandemic obviously slowed down more or less everything, but the embracing of this new mobile network is paved with challenges. One such is cost with regard performing the rollout of 5G cell towers. There are around 420,000 cell sites in the US, and while 5G’s increased reach over 4G technically allows for fewer towers, the upgrade is still a time consuming and expensive process. It’s also hampered by the slow uptake of manufacturers to produce devices which take advantage of this faster and more capable standard.

What’s the big deal though? Faster mobile data doesn’t sound that exciting. Well that’s actually just the tip of the iceberg. One of the huge benefits of 5G is lower latency, which means the time it takes for data to traverse the network. While we can expect a peak bandwidth around 20 times faster than 4G, the latency is up to 50 times faster. This will allow for more responsive gaming and connected services for the average consumer, but also means things like medical devices, smart sensors and cloud-based systems will receive a huge bump in what they’re able to do. 5G hardware is also generally more efficient, which when combined with its greater reach and retention of data speeds when further from a tower, means smaller devices can be made with cellular connectivity.

There has however been pushback. The inarguable insanity that 5G was causing coronavirus notwithstanding, there are genuine technological challenges to 5G rollout. One such receiving scrutiny this week is the interference with some instruments used on aircraft. Most planes use a device called a radio altimeter to work out their distance from the ground, typically when operating at or below 2,500 feet. Something quite critical happens below 2,500 feet, and that’s something we call “landing”. The FAA has determined that some bands of 5G, due to their operation on a frequency close to that of the one this system uses, may interfere with the plane’s accuracy in reading how close the ground is. What’s important to note is that the radio isn’t the only system the plane uses, and there have been no reports as of yet of actual interference.

The above is just one example of how we’re having to be cautious with 5G. It’s raised questions ranging from its affect on accurate weather forecasting to what constitutes a harmful level of radio wave exposure. Once these challenges are conquered, I personally can’t wait to see what this more capable network allows us to achieve.

If there is a tech topic you are interested in for a column, send an email to [email protected]

Richard Noble is the founder of Want For Tech, an IT company based in Glasgow.

 

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